Aurora Theater Opens To Victims, Families For First Time Since Shooting

AURORA, Colo. (CBS4)– For the first time since the deadly shooting on July 20, the Century 16 Theater opened to victims and their families on Tuesday. The official reopening is Thursday and will bear the name “Century Aurora.”

Some victims’ families were outraged by the invitation to the grand re-opening but others believe walking through the doors is an important part of the healing process.

“He opened fire and we got down and I was eventually shot three times,” said shooting victim Pierce O’Farrill. “The bullet came in and just snapped my arm in half.”

O’Farrill plans to attend Thursday’s reopening of the Century 16 Theater in Aurora where suspected gunman James Holmes opened fire killing 12 people and leaving 58 others injured. Holmes is facing more than 160 counts of murder and attempted murder when his trial begins.

“It’s important for me, for my healing to go back to that place. I was very close to death,” said O’Farrill. “For me I think it’s therapeutic.”

Several families of the victims have boycotted Thursday’s opening, calling the invitation “disgusting.”